Fairmont Olympic Seattle Review: A Restored Grand Dame Downtown
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BOTTOM LINE
The Fairmont Olympic is one of Seattle's oldest and grandest hotels, a 1924 landmark downtown that came through a major renovation looking better than ever. It suits travelers who want classic elegance, an indoor pool and spa, and a walkable location, and it makes a strong pre-cruise base for Alaska sailings out of Seattle. I stayed in a King Deluxe room and left thinking it is one of the city's best luxury stays, though the rate sits firmly at the top of the market. One thing to budget for: the hotel charges a 20 dollar a day destination fee, which is really a sneaky way of adding a resort fee at a city hotel that is not a resort; it does include a five dollar coffee credit, but it is largely just an extra charge on the room rate, and I am not a fan of those.
Seattle is a major departure port for Alaska cruises, so I pass through it more than most cities, and I am always looking for the right pre-cruise hotel. The Fairmont Olympic keeps coming up as the classic choice, and after this stay I understand why. It has the history and the polish, and it sits right where you want to be downtown.
The hotel first opened in 1924 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which tells you a lot about its pedigree. What impressed me more is how well the recent renovation updated the property without stripping away its character. It feels like a grand old hotel brought fully into the present. The bones here are special: built in 1928 on the site of the original University of Washington campus, the hotel takes up an entire city block, and guests enter from the valet area and ride an elevator or escalator up to the second-story lobby, which is probably the most stunning space in the building.
Booking the Fairmont Olympic
The Fairmont Olympic is part of Accor and its Fairmont brand, so members and elites can earn and use benefits through that program. This is a luxury-tier property, so paid rates run high, and I would watch for seasonal pricing swings tied to the busy summer cruise season. Booking early tends to help.
Because it is an Accor luxury hotel, it also often appears through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, which is where I would look for added value. FHR bookings can layer on breakfast, a property credit, room upgrades when available, and guaranteed late checkout, which soften a premium rate with extras you would otherwise pay for. As a travel advisor I can often add similar perks on luxury bookings like this at no extra cost to clients.
Best cards for booking
To get the most from a stay here, the cards I would reach for are the The Platinum Card from American Express for Fine Hotels + Resorts access, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and the Capital One Venture X.
Location
The Fairmont Olympic sits in the heart of downtown Seattle, within easy walking distance of shopping, restaurants, and the business core. From here you can reach Pike Place Market, the waterfront, and the main sights on foot or with a very short ride. That central position is a big part of the appeal.
For anyone catching an Alaska cruise, the location works nicely as a launch pad. Seattle's cruise terminals are a short drive away, and staying downtown the night before takes the stress out of embarkation day. I like being able to explore the city first and then head to the ship without a long transfer.
From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the hotel is roughly a 30-minute drive depending on traffic, and the light rail also connects the airport to downtown. However you arrive, you land in a spot that puts the whole city within reach. It is the kind of location that makes a short Seattle stay feel efficient.
Lobby and Check-In
The renovated lobby deserves a mention of its own, because it is stunning. The restoration uncovered original terrazzo and marble flooring that had been hidden under carpet for decades, hand-laid by Italian artisans back in 1924. Walking through that space, you feel the history and the craftsmanship, and it sets the tone for the whole hotel. From the mezzanine balcony you can look down over the Olympic bar and the vaulted ceilings of the main lobby, framed by grand staircases they just do not build anymore; big credit to the renovation team for making this old hotel really shine.
Check-in was smooth and unhurried, the kind of arrival you hope for after a travel day. The public spaces invite you to linger with a coffee or a cocktail, and I found the lobby and bar areas pleasant places to sit and plan the next day. That sense of occasion is part of what you pay for at a historic property.
The Room
I stayed in a King Deluxe room, and it struck the right balance between classic and current. The design carries the hotel's traditional elegance while feeling fresh and comfortable, with a good bed and a well-finished bathroom. It felt like a proper luxury room rather than a dated one trading on history. I got a one-level upgrade to a deluxe king overlooking the city on one of the quieter streets surrounding the hotel, though fair warning: if you are not into city noise, do not stay this deep in downtown Seattle. Inside, the bathroom has nice marble and plenty of room, the towels are really plush, and the shampoos and conditioners run a little higher end.
The rooms here reflect the broader renovation, which modernized the guest experience while keeping the grand-hotel bones intact. My room was quiet, well laid out, and easy to settle into after travel. For a downtown location in an older building, the space was comfortable and thoughtfully done.
If you are booking, the standard rooms will serve most travelers well, and higher categories add space and, in some cases, better views. I found the King Deluxe more than enough for a pre-cruise night or two. The overall feel is refined without being stuffy.
Pools and Amenities
One of my favorite features here is the indoor pool, set in a light-filled solarium with a skylight overhead. It is heated and kept at a comfortable temperature, and there is a hot tub alongside it. Having an indoor pool in a historic downtown hotel is a rare treat, especially in a city where the weather does not always cooperate.
The health club also includes locker rooms and a sauna, and there is a full spa on site for treatments. After a day of walking the city, I appreciated having somewhere to unwind without leaving the building. It is the kind of amenity set that rounds out a stay. The health club surprised me for a downtown Seattle hotel: a check-in area with two exercise rooms, two Peloton bikes for the Peloton-obsessed, plenty of cardio, and a small weight room that was busy enough I could not even film it. The full spa is called Penelope, and a whole bottom floor of shops and restaurants is accessible right from the street.
Food and Drink
The hotel offers several dining venues, anchored by The George, a redesigned restaurant that highlights Pacific Northwest ingredients and seafood. There is also the Olympic Bar, a more recent addition from the renovation, and Shuckers, one of Seattle's longstanding oyster bars. That gives you range from a full dinner to a casual drink and a plate of oysters.
I found the on-site options convenient, especially when I did not feel like heading out into the evening. Being able to eat well without leaving the hotel is a real plus on a pre-cruise night. The dining leans into local flavors, which is exactly what you want in Seattle.
Afternoon tea has long been a tradition at grand hotels like this one, and it is a nice way to slow down between sightseeing outings. Of course, the downtown location also puts countless restaurants within walking distance if you would rather explore. Either way, you eat well here.
Service
Service was polished and warm throughout, which is what separates a good luxury hotel from a great one. The team handled requests quickly and made a two-night stay feel easy. For a property leaning on its heritage, the staff kept the experience feeling current rather than formal. As I said in the video, I would put Fairmonts in the four to five star category depending on which one you are staying at, and the service is always really top notch.
Small touches added up, from a smooth check-in to attentive help around the concierge desk when I asked about getting to the cruise terminal. That kind of care is a big reason I keep pointing clients here for a special Seattle stay.
Who Should Stay Here
Great fit if
Look elsewhere if
You love historic, grand-hotel character
You are watching every dollar downtown
You want an indoor pool and spa in the city
You want a sleek, brand-new modern tower
You are basing a stay around an Alaska cruise
You need waterfront rooms right on the harbor
You value a walkable, central downtown address
You prefer a quiet neighborhood over the core
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Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the Fairmont Olympic Seattle?
The hotel first opened in 1924 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the oldest and grandest hotels in Seattle, and a recent renovation has refreshed it throughout.
Does the Fairmont Olympic have a pool?
Yes, there is an indoor heated pool set in a skylit solarium, along with a hot tub and sauna. Having an indoor pool downtown is a rare and welcome feature in Seattle.
Is it a good hotel before an Alaska cruise?
It is an excellent pre-cruise base. Seattle is a major Alaska cruise port, and the hotel's downtown location puts you close to the terminals and lets you explore the city first.
What room did you stay in?
I stayed in a King Deluxe room, which balanced the hotel's classic elegance with comfortable, modern touches. It was more than enough for a pre-cruise night or two.
What are the dining options?
The hotel has several venues, including The George for Pacific Northwest cuisine, the Olympic Bar, and Shuckers oyster bar. You can also walk to countless downtown restaurants.
Is the lobby worth seeing?
Absolutely. The renovation uncovered original terrazzo and marble flooring hand-laid by Italian artisans in 1924, and the restored lobby is one of the most striking spaces in the hotel.
Bottom Line
The Fairmont Olympic Seattle is the classic grand hotel done right, blending 1924 history with a renovation that keeps it current. Between the restored lobby, the indoor pool and spa, and the central downtown location, it delivers on both character and comfort. My King Deluxe room and the overall experience left me with an easy recommendation.
If you are heading to Seattle, especially before an Alaska cruise, this is the hotel I would point you toward. It is the kind of stay that makes the city itself part of the trip rather than just a stop before the ship. For a historic luxury base downtown, it is hard to do better.
